Info

If you are flying from Jakarta, you can take a six hour flight to Sorong with a stopover in Manado.  Alternatively, you can join a diving tour in Bali and fly from there. You will find Sorong just like any other city where you can get almost everything, although prices are higher due to its remote location. Usually only divers come to Raja Ampat, so you will not find many other tourists around. Joining a tour is the most common practice when visiting Raja Ampat. You do not have to be a professional diver to join a tour, as tour operators sell tours ranging for both for divers and non-divers.

Flying from Jakarta/ Bali to Sorong, with connecting flights in Makassar or Manado
are offered by:
1.    Merpati
2.    Express Air
3.    Batavia Air
4.    Lion Air
5.    Wings Air
6.    Silk Air
7.    Garuda Indonesia
8.    Pelita Air

There are daily ferries available between Sorong and Waisai, capital of the Raja Ampat district on the island of Waigeo. Ferries leave Sorong at 13.00 hrs and the journey takes between 1.5 to 2 hours. The return ferry from Waisai to Sorong leaves around 11.0 am. There are also speedboats for rent  at Sorong. 

Get Around

Commonly, divers will join a tour and live in a diving resort during their stay in the Raja Ampat Islands. To access diving spots, please contact and use the professional diving organizers, who can be conveniently found in Sorong. Several tour operators also offer the option of liveboard tours:

1.   Raja Ampat Liveaboard 
2.   Dive Raja Ampat
3.   Raja Ampat 

Before going to a dive spot, you'll need to obtain a permit from the local Papua police station. You will need to bring your passport and three (3) copies of the passport page with the Indonesian Visa. The diving organizers can help you with these formalities

From Sorong, there are two type of boats available; Speed Boat (40 minutes - 1 hour boat trip, carries 15 passengers and costs Rp2 million/US$208.55); Long Boat (2-3 hour boat trip and could carry 10 passengers for the cost of Rp1,2 million/ US$126). Please note that all rates are subject to change without notice

You may rent a small boat if you wish to stop and make personal discoveries along the line of the beaches. As the Raja Ampat Islands have four mountainous main islands and hundreds of small islands in their vicinity, you may want to take this opportunity to explore. In addition, the Karst area is a beautiful and original natural phenomenon, as it has various unique flora and fauna as its attractions e.g., Bird of Paradise (Cenderawasih) Botak, Red Cenderawasih, Maleo Waigeo, Kus-kus, orchids, palm etc. You can also trek around the islands to find hidden beauties, like waterfalls and ancient caves.

Handicrafts in Arborek

Many divers say that the best souvenir ever after visit Raja Ampat are the stories of your experiences that you will take home to tell. Of course, photographs are the eye-popping pictures to brag about. But to keep your friends or family entertained, try bringing them:

• Asmat sculptures

• Traditional cloths

• Traditional music instruments

• Suling (traditional flute)

• Tambur (traditional drum)

These are usually available in giftshops in many cities in Papua. This will save you the hassle of bringing too many things from Raja Ampat. Although, you may also consider buying plaited handicrafts in Arborek if you happen to visit the village while in Raja Ampat.